Ariel Winter's dad to control her estate

Los Angeles - The father of Modern Family star Ariel Winter was given temporary control over the teenage actress' estate on Wednesday, in a court-approved settlement in Los Angeles after allegations that her mother had abused her.

Winter, 14, who plays the brainy and precocious teenager Alex Dunphy on the Emmy-winning ABC comedy, will remain under temporary guardianship of her older sister, Shanelle Gray, under the settlement, court officials have said.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas scheduled a hearing for 29 March 2013 in which he could hand permanent guardianship over to Gray and control of Winter's estate to her father, Glenn Workman.

No comment from publicist

Gray, 34, was first awarded temporary guardianship of the actress in October.

Winter's mother, Chrisoula Workman has denied allegations, submitted in earlier court documents, that she verbally and physically abused her daughter.

Messages left with Winter's publicist and attorney seeking comment were not immediately returned.